The Elmhurst Art Museum was established and granted 501c(3) status in 1997.

Purpose

Foster community by cultivating a creative space where art is for everyone.

Vision

Be a cultural leader in the Chicagoland area for contemporary art, arts education, and mid-century modern architecture.

Mission

Spark creativity and cultural enrichment through the visual arts, education, and architecture by providing thought-provoking, diverse exhibitions and programming.

History

In 1981 a group of teachers, artists and community organizers, established the Elmhurst Art Museum with the belief that people from all walks of life can learn to see and think differently through meaningful participation in the arts. With initial focus on exhibiting and collecting works of primarily local artists, the Museum significantly expanded to feature nationally and internationally recognized artists.

In 1992, led by artist and educator Eleanor King Hookham, the Foundation purchased the unique Mies van der Rohe-designed McCormick House (1952), a private home in Elmhurst. With an ambitious and unprecedented undertaking, the house was moved from its location to the Elmhurst Art Museum Campus. The Museum commissioned Chicago-based architectural firm DeStefano + Partners to design a new building incorporating this unique architectural component with substantial exhibition, education, public and administrative spaces.

A new facility opened to the public in 1997 with 15,000+ square feet of exhibition and education space. Today, the Museum provides access to world-class exhibitions, the unique home by Mies van der Rohe, and an Education Center that serves the residents of Elmhurst and the surrounding communities.